The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church maintains the deep sacredness of marriage, which is a divine bond made by God. It is a holy marriage based on trust, faith, and spiritual companionship that is intended to symbolize God’s unending love. However, in a fallen world, human frailty and life’s hardships can jeopardize this sacred connection, resulting in divorce or separation. The EOTC encourages couples to seek God’s forgiveness and reconciliation throughout trying times, teaching that marriage is meant to last a lifetime. But in her wisdom and compassion, the Church recognizes that some serious situations may call for divorce, providing biblical counsel and spiritual remedies for unhappy marriages. The scripture highlights that no one, not even parents, should get in the way of a married couple’s relationship in Matthew 19:6. Instead of pushing for divorce out of self-interest, parents are supposed to promote reconciliation and provide sage advice when conflicts emerge. Couples should be aware from the start that family influence causes many marriages to fail. Since marriage is seen as permanent in the EOTC, couples must make an effort to stay together out of love and faith. Only in severe circumstances where the marriage covenant has been permanently shattered is divorce allowed.
